30/01/2008 04:27:08
Two of Cornwall's estuaries have turned up some surprising aquatic residents.
The Environment Agency has been scouring the Fal and Camel estuaries since last year, and says that the diversity of species it has found so far is an encouraging sign of healthy waters.
Among 43 species recorded in the Carrick Roads near Falmouth, a single Seahorse was particularly unusual.
Other notable finds include the Gilthead Bream, a warm-water fish that appears to be spreading into British coasts with climate change, and the Norwegian Topknot.
"The large variety of fish recorded indicates that both estuaries are in a healthy condition," said Rob Hillman for the Environment Agency.
"Long-term monitoring provides unique and valuable information and will give us a much better understanding of these nationally important estuaries. The discovery of unusual species such as Norwegian Topknot and Gilthead Bream is especially encouraging."
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